Hey Ron. I'm sure you could find a sword smith right here in Ohio who would do that. If this was my process i don't think i would be worried about the ashes being lost in the slag since the addition of the ash would be more a symbolic gesture. I certainly know some nearby smiths who would undertake such a task, but i'm not sure if they produce the level of craft your friend might be looking for.
As for right place i would say that this thread seems more appropriate to the Misc. section so i'm going to transfer it over there.
